Integrated Package and Mail Delivery Security System

ABSTRACT

A system for securely depositing or retrieving an item includes: a deposit box with a door configured to provide selective access to an interior space in the deposit box; a lock mechanism configured to attach to the deposit box to selectively block the door from opening; and a proximity sensor operatively connected to the lock mechanism to operate the lock mechanism to allow the door to open.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/251,799, entitled, INTEGRATED PACKAGE AND MAILDELIVERY SECURITY SYSTEM, filed Jan. 18, 2019, now pending, thedisclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety;which application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/479,525, entitled, INTEGRATED PACKAGE ANDMAIL DELIVERY SECURITY SYSTEM, filed Apr. 5, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No.10,512,353, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety; and which application claims priority to and is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/389,867, entitled,INTEGRATED PACKAGE AND MAIL DELIVERY SECURITY SYSTEM, filed Dec. 23,2016 now U.S. Pat. No. 10,039,400, the disclosure of which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method forsecurely delivering packages and correspondence. More particularly, thepresent disclosure relates to a system and method for limiting access toa secured delivery box to a delivery person and a system user associatedwith the delivery box.

BACKGROUND

Everyday delivery services deliver sensitive mail to over 155 milliondelivery locations, most of which are filled with unsecured, orminimally secured, public access mailboxes. Every day, sensitive,personal data is left unattended in these publically accessiblemailboxes, with no or little security. The mailboxes even have raisedred flags to publicize to criminals that personal, valuable data couldbe sitting in these unsecured boxes waiting to be taken. This securityweakness has been inherent in the mail and package delivery model sincethe inception of the mail delivery system.

Furthermore, modern delivery services often have excellent trackingsystems to track where mail, packages or other things to be deliveredare in the delivery system. However most or all these systems lack theability to actually track if mail or packages are located in a mailboxor other deposit type receptacle.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system or method and apparatusthat can allow mail, packages, or other items that are delivered to bedeposited in a more secure location and allow tracking of whether theitem is deposited within the mailbox or other deposit receptacle.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure describes a system for securely depositing anitem including: a deposit box having walls, a floor, and top thatdefines an interior space within the deposit box and a door configuredto provide selective access between the interior space in the depositbox and an exterior of the deposit box; a lock mechanism configured toattach to the deposit box to selectively block the door from opening; afirst proximity sensor operatively connected to the lock mechanism tooperate the lock mechanism to block the door or allow the door to open;a second proximity sensor configured to be attached to at least one of:a delivery person and a piece of delivery equipment; a third proximitysensor; and a first transmitter operatively connected to the lockmechanism and configured to transmit a signal indicative of operatinginformation regarding the lock mechanism, and wherein the deposit box isat least 18 inches wide and 24 inches long.

The present disclosure also describes, a method of making a securedelivery including: unlocking a delivery box by activating a firstproximity sensor operatively connected to a lock mechanism by moving asecond proximity sensor near the first proximity sensor, wherein thesecond proximity sensor is mounted to a piece of delivery equipment,wherein the first and second proximity sensors have been registered to adelivery box user and a delivery service respectively; depositing adelivery item associated with the delivery box in the delivery box or ina bag associated with the delivery box; and moving the second proximitysensor away from the first proximity sensor, and wherein the deliverybox is at least 18 inches wide and 24 inches long.

The present disclosure also describes, a system for securely depositingan item including: a deposit box having walls, a floor, and top thatdefines an interior space within the deposit box and a door configuredto provide selective access between the interior space in the depositbox and an exterior of the deposit box; a lock mechanism configured toattach to the deposit box to selectively block the door from opening; afirst proximity sensor operatively connected to the lock mechanism tooperate the lock mechanism to block the door or allow the door to open;a second proximity sensor configured to be attached to at least one of:a delivery person and a piece of delivery equipment; a third proximitysensor; a first transmitter operatively connected to the lock mechanismand configured to transmit a signal indicative of operating informationregarding the lock mechanism; a bag, the bag having an attaching memberconfigured to attach to a securing member located in the interior space;and a passageway in the deposit box sized and dimensioned to allow theattaching member to pass through the passageway to attach to thesecuring member in the interior space when the bag is outside of theinterior space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for depositing delivery itemsin a secure manner and tracking whether the item has been deposited inthe receptacle in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a wireless device that may be used withthe system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a mailbag that may be used in accordance tothe system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a necklace or bracelet containing a proximitysensor that may be used in accordance with the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top view of a key chain containing a proximity sensor thatmay be used in accordance with the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a watch containing a proximity sensor that maybe used in accordance with the system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a mailbox having an external locking system.

FIG. 8 is a front view of a mailbox having an internal locking system.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a larger deposit box having a lockingsystem.

FIG. 10A is a front view of a deposit bag attached to a delivery box inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10B is a perspective view of a larger deposit box having a depositbag attached to a delivery box in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of activating a universalproximity sensor in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method of activating a proximitysensor attached to a deposit box in accordance with present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of securely delivering anitem in accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An example, non-limiting embodiment in accordance with the inventionwill now be described with reference to the drawing figures, in whichlike reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. It should beunderstood that the drawings are not to scale. An embodiment inaccordance with the present disclosure provides a system, method, orapparatus that can allow mail or other items that are delivered to bedeposited in a secure location and allow tracking of whether the item isdeposited in the mailbox or other deposit receptacle.

An embodiment of the present inventive system is schematically shown inFIG. 1. FIG. 1 illustrates a system 20 that allows an item to bedelivered in a relatively secure location and that item to be tracked aswell as the status of the deposit box being monitored.

As shown in FIG. 1, a deposit box 22 may include an indicator 24 such asa flag 24 to indicate to a delivery person whether there is an item inthe deposit box 22 to be picked up. The deposit box 22 may include adoor 26 that provides selective access to an enclosed space 28 locatedwithin the deposit box 22. The deposit box 22 may be made of steel,aluminum, or any other metal, metal alloy, plastic, resin, polymer,fiberglass or other suitable substance. The deposit box 22 may include abox proximity sensor 30 which may be operatively connected to a lockingmechanism 32. The deposit box 22 may be mounted upon a box support 34which may be mounted to or set in the ground 36. The deposit box 22 maybe located adjacent to a street or road 38.

In some embodiments, the box proximity sensor 30 is able to detect ifanother appropriately authorized proximity sensor 40, 42 is nearby. Ifan appropriately authorized sensor 40 or 42 is near the box proximitysensor 30, then the box proximity sensor 30 can send a control signal tothe locking mechanism 32 to unlock which will allow the door 26 to beopened to provide access to the enclosed space 28. The box proximitysensor 30 may also have a transceiver that allows the box proximitysensor 30 to send/receive signals to and from the system 20.Furthermore, when there are no authorized proximity sensors 40 or 42near the box proximity sensor 30, then the locking mechanism 32 willmove to its defaulted, locked state.

The system 20 may include a piece of delivery equipment 44. As shown inFIG. 1, the delivery equipment 44 is a delivery vehicle. The deliveryvehicle 44 may be equipped with an authorized proximity sensor 42 whichmay communicate with the box proximity sensor 30 when the authorizedproximity sensor 42 is located near the box proximity sensor 30. As aresult, a delivery person operating the delivery vehicle 44 need onlydrive or maneuver the delivery vehicle 44 near the deposit box 22 tocause the deposit box 22 to be in an unlocked state. The delivery personneed not fumble with keys or any other devices in order to unlock thedeposit box 22. Rather, merely maneuvering the delivery equipment 44(which is shown in FIG. 1 to be a vehicle, but other delivery equipmentmay also be used which will be discussed later below) near the depositbox 22 unlocks the deposit box 22. Further, moving the deliveryequipment 44 away from the deposit box 22 will cause the deposit box 22to be in a locked state. Therefore, the delivery person need not performany extra function to lock or unlock the deposit box 22 other than whatthe delivery person would already do when making a deposit within aregular non-secured deposit box.

When a user such as the owner or other person associated with thedeposit box 22 wants to access the deposit box 22 to retrieve a piece ofmail, package, or other article, the user may use the user's proximitysensor 40 and bring it near the box proximity sensor 30 causing the boxproximity sensor 30 to send a signal to the locking mechanism 32 tounlock and allow the door 26 of the deposit box 22 to open to therebyprovide access to the enclosed space 28. When the user closes the boxand moves away from the deposit box 22 the user's proximity sensor 40will move out of range and no longer be able to communicate with the boxproximity sensor 30 which will cause the locking mechanism 32 to move toits default locking position.

In some embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 1, a delivery operation mayhave a home base 46 which may be a place or building where the equipment44 may be stored and/or loaded with items to be delivered. In someembodiments this may be a local or regional post office.

The base or building 46 may be associated with a boundary or propertyline 48. In some embodiments, when the delivery vehicle 44 leaves thebuilding 46 building proximity sensors 50A detects when the proximitysensor 42 on the delivery vehicle 44 leaves the building 46. In otherembodiments, a boundary line proximity sensor 50B can detect when theproximity sensor 42 on the delivery vehicle 44 leaves the propertyboundary 48.

When the proximity sensors 50A or 50B detect that the delivery proximitysensor 42 has left either the building 46 or the property boundary 48they may send a signal via connectors 54 which may be wired or wirelessthrough the Internet 52 or another communications system to a server ordatabase 56. The server or database 56 can save data regarding themovement of the proximity sensor 42. In this way, the date and time ofwhen the proximity sensor 42 left the base 46 or property 48 may bemonitored and stored. Conventional or other delivery tracking systemsmay be used to generate information and/or data to be stored on theserver or database 56 so that the delivery proximity sensor 42 may beassociated with data such as which delivery articles are located on thedelivery vehicle 44. In some embodiments, signals may be sent to a userto indicate that a delivery article associated with a user has left thedelivery facility 46 or property 48 and is out for delivery.

Users of the system 20 may use various computers (PCs) 58 which may beconnected either wirelessly are wired by connections 54 through theInternet 52 or other communications system to the database or server 56in order to send or retrieve data that is saved on the server 56 or toreceive signals, emails, texts or other messages providing them updateswith respect to items to be delivered to their deposit box 22.

In addition to various computers personal computers (PCs) 58, users mayaccess the system 20 using a wireless device 104. The wireless device104 may also be connected via a wired or wireless connection 54 to theInternet 52 or other communication systems to the database or server 56.It should be understood that the various proximity sensors 30, 40, 42,50A, and 50B may include transceivers which allow the proximity sensors30, 40, 42, 50A and 50B to communicate with other aspects of the system20 such as the server/database 56. It should be understood that none,some, or all of the access, communication, and data storage that occursover the system 20 is securely protected and may be encrypted.

FIG. 2 illustrates a device 104 in accordance with an aspect of thedisclosure. In this regard, the disclosure may be implemented inconjunction with a wireless device 104 executing the wireless serviceoptimization application 106. The wireless device 104 includes a memory116. The wireless device 104 may further include an operating system148, a communication component 150, a contact/motion component 152, agraphics component 154, and the like. The operating system 148 togetherwith the various components provides software functionality for each ofthe components of the wireless device 104. The memory 116 may include ahigh-speed, random-access memory. Also, the memory 116 may be anon-volatile memory, such as magnetic fixed disk storage, flash memoryor the like. These various components may be connected through variouscommunication lines including a data bus 170. The memory 116 may alsostore device related information including but not limited to a deviceserial number, such as, for example, an International Mobile EquipmentIdentity (IMEI), an Electronic Serial Number (ESN), Mobile EquipmentIdentifier (MEID), and/or the like.

In another aspect of the disclosure, the memory 116 of a wireless device104 includes a database for storing user information. The userinformation may include further information as required by the serviceprovider and may include information such as full name, address, date ofbirth, telephone number, service provider, email address, contactnumber, credit card information, and the like. In one aspect, thedatabase may include security questions. In another aspect, the databasemay include user specified preferences.

The wireless device 104 may also include a SIM card 184 having a memory182. The memory 182 stores the SIM card serial number, and may beimplemented as, for example, an integrated Circuit Card ID (ICCID).Aspects of the disclosure may be equally applicable to wireless devices104 that are implemented without a SIM card 184 having a memory 182.

The wireless device 104 also includes a processor 114 which may be acentral processing unit configured to execute instructions, such as, forexample, instructions related to software programs. Any processor can beused for the wireless device 104 as understood by those of ordinaryskill in the art. The processor 114 may be coupled to the user interface122, the SIM card 184 and the memory 116. The display 118 may be aliquid crystal display (LCD) or any other suitable display. Preferablythe LCD includes a backlight to illuminate the various color liquidcrystals to provide a more colorful display. The user interface 122 maybe any type of physical input as readily employed in the field. Forexample, the user interface may have physical buttons. Alternatively,the user interface may be implemented on a touchscreen 180.Additionally, the wireless device 104 includes a power supply 158. Thewireless service optimization application 106 may be executed by theprocessor 114.

The wireless device 104 may include an audio input/output device 156.The audio input/output device 156 may include speakers, speaker outputs,microphones, microphone inputs, and the like, for receiving andgenerating sound. In an exemplary aspect, the audio input/output device156 may include an analog to digital converter and a digital to analogconverter for audio input and output functions respectively.

In a further aspect, the wireless device 104 may include a transceiver120. The wireless device 104 may provide radio and signal processing asneeded to access a network for services in conjunction with thetransceiver 120. The processor 114 may be configured to process callfunctions, data transfer, and the like and provide other services to theuser.

In an exemplary aspect, the touchscreen 180 of the disclosure may beimplemented in the display 118 and may detect a presence and location ofa touch of a user within the display area. For example, touching thedisplay 118 of the wireless device 104 with a finger or hand. Thetouchscreen 180 may also sense other passive objects, such as a stylus.The wireless device 104 may further include a touch screen controller160.

In operation, the display 118 may show various objects 190 associatedwith applications for execution by the processor 114. For example, auser may touch the display 118, particularly the touchscreen 180, tointeract with the objects 190. That is, touching an object 190 mayexecute an application in the processor 114 associated with the object190 that is stored in memory 116. Additionally or alternatively,touching an object 190 may open a menu of options to be selected by theuser. The display 118 may include a plurality of objects 190 for theuser to interact with. Moreover the display 118 may include a pluralityof screens. The display 118 showing one screen at a time. The user mayinteract with the display 118 to move a screen into view on the display118. Various objects 190 may be located in each of the screens.

The touchscreen 180 may have different implementations. The touchscreen180 may be implemented as a resistive touchscreen, a surface acousticwave touch screen, a capacitive touch screen, a surface capacitancetouchscreen, projected capacitive touch screen, self-capacitancesensors, infrared sensors, dispersive signal technology, acoustic pulserecognition, or the like.

The display 118 is generally configured to display a graphical userinterface (GUI) 122 that provides an easy to use visual interfacebetween a user of the wireless device 104 and the operating system orapplication(s) running on the wireless device 104. Generally, the GUIpresents programs, files and operational options with graphical images.During operation, the user may select and activate various graphicalimages which appear on the display 118 in order to initiate functionsand tasks associated therewith.

Any of the computers 58 may include all, some, or any other desirablefeatures described above with respect to the wireless device 104. Insome embodiments, programs or applications (apps) may be downloaded fromthe server or database 56 onto the wireless devices or computers 58 inorder to allow a user to easily access information regarding the system20. Alternatively, the programs or applications may reside on thedatabase or server 56 and be accessed by a user via a wireless device104 or computer 58.

Any of the wired or wireless connections 54, or other communicationaspects of the disclosure, may include communication channels that maybe any type of wired or wireless electronic communications network, suchas, e.g., a wired/wireless local area network (LAN), a wired/wirelesspersonal area network (PAN), a wired/wireless home area network (HAN), awired/wireless wide area network (WAN), a campus network, a metropolitannetwork, an enterprise private network, a virtual private network (VPN),an internetwork, a backbone network (BBN), a global area network (GAN),the Internet, an intranet, an extranet, an overlay network, Near fieldcommunication (NFC), a cellular telephone network, a PersonalCommunications Service (PCS), using known protocols such as the GlobalSystem for Mobile Communications (GSM), CDMA (Code-Division MultipleAccess), GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA network technologies, Long TermEvolution (LTE), 5G (5th generation mobile networks or 5th generationwireless systems), WiMAX, HSPA+, W-CDMA (Wideband Code-Division MultipleAccess), CDMA2000 (also known as C2K or IMT Multi-Carrier (IMT-MC)),Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, and/or the like, and/or acombination of two or more thereof. The NFC standards covercommunications protocols and data exchange formats, and are based onexisting radio-frequency identification (RFID) standards includingISO/IEC 14443 and FeliCa. The standards include ISO/IEC 18092[3] andthose defined by the NFC Forum.

Aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in any type of computingdevices, such as, e.g., a desktop computer, personal computer, alaptop/mobile computer, a personal data assistant (PDA), a mobile phone,a tablet computer, cloud computing device, and the like, withwired/wireless communications capabilities via the communicationchannels.

Aspects of the disclosure may be web-based. For example, a server mayoperate a web application in conjunction with a database. The webapplication may be hosted in a browser-controlled environment (e.g., aJava applet and/or the like), coded in a browser-supported language(e.g., JavaScript combined with a browser-rendered markup language(e.g., Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML) and/or the like)) and/or thelike such that any computer running a common web browser (e.g., InternetExplorer™, Firefox™, Chrome™ Safari™ or the like) may render theapplication executable. A web-based service may be more beneficial dueto the ubiquity of web browsers and the convenience of using a webbrowser as a client (i.e., thin client). Further, with inherent supportfor cross-platform compatibility, the web application may be maintainedand updated without distributing and installing software on each.

Aspects of the disclosure may be implemented in any type of mobilesmartphones that are operated by any type of advanced mobile dataprocessing and communication operating system, such as, e.g., an Apple™iOS™ operating system, a Google™ Android™ operating system, a RIM™Blackberry™ operating system, a Nokia™ Symbian™ operating system, aMicrosoft™ Windows Mobile™ operating system, a Microsoft™ Windows Phone™operating system, a Linux™ operating system or the like.

Further in accordance with various aspects of the disclosure, themethods described herein are intended for operation with dedicatedhardware implementations including, but not limited to, PCs, PDAs,semiconductors, application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),programmable logic arrays, cloud computing devices, and other hardwaredevices constructed to implement the methods described herein.

It should also be noted that the software implementations of thedisclosure as described herein are optionally stored on a tangiblestorage medium, such as: a magnetic medium such as a disk or tape; amagneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk; or a solid statemedium such as a memory card or other package that houses one or moreread-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or otherre-writable (volatile) memories. A digital file attachment to email orother self-contained information archive or set of archives isconsidered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storagemedium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include a tangiblestorage medium or distribution medium, as listed herein and includingart-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the softwareimplementations herein are stored.

Additionally, the various aspects of the disclosure may be implementedin a non-generic computer implementation. Moreover, the various aspectsof the disclosure set forth herein improve the functioning of the systemas is apparent from the disclosure hereof. Furthermore, the variousaspects of the disclosure involve computer hardware that it specificallyprogrammed to solve the complex problem addressed by the disclosure.Accordingly, the various aspects of the disclosure improve thefunctioning of the system overall in its specific implementation toperform the process set forth by the disclosure and as defined by theclaims.

According to an example, the global navigation satellite system (GNSS)may include a device and/or system that may estimate its location based,at least in part, on signals received from space vehicles (SVs). Inparticular, such a device and/or system may obtain “pseudorange”measurements including approximations of distances between associatedSVs and a navigation satellite receiver. In a particular example, such apseudorange may be determined at a receiver that is capable ofprocessing signals from one or more SVs as part of a SatellitePositioning System (SPS). Such a SPS may comprise, for example, a GlobalPositioning System (GPS), Galileo, Glonass, to name a few, or any SPSdeveloped in the future. To determine its location, a satellitenavigation receiver may obtain pseudorange measurements to three or moresatellites as well as their positions at time of transmitting. Knowingthe SV orbital parameters, these positions can be calculated for anypoint in time. A pseudorange measurement may then be determined based,at least in part, on the time a signal travels from an SV to thereceiver, multiplied by the speed of light. While techniques describedherein may be provided as implementations of location determination inGPS and/or Galileo types of SPS as specific illustrations according toparticular examples, it should be understood that these techniques mayalso apply to other types of SPS, and that claimed subject matter is notlimited in this respect.

The application described in the disclosure may be implemented toexecute on an Apple™ iOS™ operating system, a Google™ Android™ operatingsystem, a RIM™ Blackberry™ operating system, a Nokia™ Symbian™ operatingsystem, a Microsoft™ Windows Mobile™ operating system, a Microsoft™Windows Phone™ operating system, a Linux™ operating system or the like.The application may be displayed as an icon. The application may havebeen downloaded from the Internet, pre-installed, or the like. In someaspects, the application may be obtained from Google Play™, AndroidMarket™, Apple Store™, or the like digital distribution source. Theapplication may be written in conjunction with the software developerskit (SDK) associated with an Apple™ iOS™ operating system, a Google™Android™ operating system, a RIM™ Blackberry™ operating system, a Nokia™Symbian™ operating system, a Microsoft™ Windows Mobile™ operatingsystem, a Microsoft™ Windows Phone™ operating system, a Linux™ operatingsystem or the like.

Aspects of the disclosure may include a server 56 executing an instanceof an application or software configured to accept requests from aclient and giving responses accordingly. The server 56 may run on anycomputer including dedicated computers. The computer may include atleast one processing element, typically a central processing unit (CPU),and some form of memory. The processing element may carry out arithmeticand logic operations, and a sequencing and control unit may change theorder of operations in response to stored information. The server 56 mayinclude peripheral devices that may allow information to be retrievedfrom an external source, and the result of operations saved andretrieved. The server 56 may operate within a client-serverarchitecture. The server 56 may perform some tasks on behalf of clients.The clients may connect to the server 56 through the network on acommunication channel as defined herein. The server 56 may use memorywith error detection and correction, redundant disks, redundant powersupplies and so on.

The term text message or SMS refers to “short message service” which isa text messaging service component of phone, web, or mobilecommunication systems. It uses standardized communications protocols toallow fixed line or mobile phone devices to exchange short textmessages. SMS was originally designed as part of GSM, but is nowavailable on a wide range of networks, including 3G, 4G, LTE, 5Gnetworks or networks associated with the communication channel asdefined herein.

Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) is a standard way to send messagesthat include multimedia content to and from mobile phones. It extendsthe core SMS (Short Message Service) capability that allowed exchange oftext messages only up to 160 characters in length. While the mostpopular use is to send photographs from camera-equipped handsets, it isalso used as a method of delivering news and entertainment contentincluding videos, pictures, text pages and ringtones. MMS can be usedwithin the context of the present invention for Universal IntegratedCircuit Card (UICC) activation message delivery. Of note is that MMSmessages are delivered in a completely different way from SMS. The firststep is for the sending device to encode the multimedia content in afashion similar to sending a MIME e-mail (MIME content formats aredefined in the MMS Message Encapsulation specification). The message isthen forwarded to the carrier's MMS store and forward server, known asthe MMSC (Multimedia Messaging Service Centre). If the receiver is onanother carrier, the relay forwards the message to the recipient'scarrier using the Internet 52.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment where the delivery equipment 44 isnot a vehicle as shown in FIG. 1 but is rather a mail carrier's bag 200.The bag 200 is equipped with a delivery proximity sensor 42 and operatesin the same manner as the delivery proximity sensor 42 described inFIG. 1. In other words, all the delivery person needs to do is toapproach the deposit box 22 and the delivery proximity sensor 42 willcommunicate with the box proximity sensor 30 causing the deposit box 22to unlock. By walking away from the deposit box 22 the deliveryproximity sensor 42 will no longer be proximate to the box proximitysensor 30 which will cause the locking mechanism 32 to default to itslocking position. It should be understood that in some embodiments, thatin order for the locking mechanism 32 to move to its defaulted, lockedposition, the door 26 must be closed.

FIGS. 4-6 illustrate various features that may be used by either a useror a delivery person to hold either the user's proximity sensor 40 orthe delivery proximity sensor 42. As shown in FIG. 4, a necklace orbracelet 202 may act as the postal equipment 44 to hold the deliveryproximity sensor 42. The bracelet or necklace 202 may be worn by thedelivery person. In other embodiments, the necklace or bracelet 202 canbe used or worn by the user and contain the user's proximity sensor 40.

As shown in FIG. 5, a key ring 204 may act as the postal equipment 44 tohold the delivery proximity sensor 42. The key ring 204 may be carriedby the delivery person. In some embodiments, a key ring 204 can be usedor carried by the user and contain the user's proximity sensor 40.

As shown in FIG. 6, a watch 206 may act as the postal equipment 44 tohold the delivery proximity sensor 42. The watch 206 may be worn by thedelivery person. In some embodiments, a watch 206 can be used or worn bythe user and contain the user's proximity sensor 40.

FIG. 7 is a front view of a deposit box 22 in accordance with thepresent disclosure. The locking mechanism 32 of FIG. 7 is shown externalto the deposit box 22. FIG. 8 is another embodiment where the lockingmechanism 32 shown internally and in the enclosed space 28 of thedeposit box 22. While the position of the locking mechanism 32 is shownherein as an example it will be understood that various differentlocking mechanism 32 may be employed and located at various positionsand are on or in the deposit box 22.

With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the locking mechanism 32 includes alock receiver 208 which is attached to the door 26 via fasteners 210. Inother embodiments, an adhesive, such as a high strength adhesive, may beused instead of, or in addition to, the fasteners 210 to attach thelocking mechanism 32 to the deposit box 22. The lock receiver 208receives a movable bolt 212. The movable bolt 212 retracts and extendsin and out of the lock body 214 via a bolt moving mechanism 216. Thelocking mechanism 32 may be dimensioned so that when the door 26 is in aclosed position the movable bolt 212 will fit into a recess within thelock receiver 208. A box proximity sensor 30 is operatively connected tothe locking mechanism 32. The box proximity sensor 30 sends a signal tooperate the locking mechanism 32 to move the movable bolt 212 positionwithin the lock body 214 when the box proximity sensor 30 detectsanother authorized proximity sensor nearby. When no additionalauthorized proximity sensor is detected by the box proximity sensor 30,then the locking mechanism 32 will revert to its defaulted lockedposition. In other embodiments, the default position of the lockingmechanism 32 may be an unlocked position.

The locking mechanism 32 may also include a status light 218 which, insome embodiments, may be an LED light. The status light 218 may displayvarious colors or simply be illuminated or not to indicate the lockingmechanism 32 status. In some embodiments, when the locking mechanism 32is not in a locked condition, the status light 218 may or may notilluminate with a color indicating that the locking mechanism 32 is notlocked. When the locking mechanism 32 is in a locked condition, then thestatus light 218 may be illuminated or display a color indicating thatthe locking mechanism 32 is in a locked condition. Power for the lockingmechanism 32, the status light 218, and/or the proximity sensor 30 mayinclude a battery, a connection to line voltage, a solar cell or anyother suitable power source.

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to have a large deposit box 220which may be sized to accommodate larger packages and not just mail orother document deliveries as shown in FIG. 9. The large deposit box 220may have a locking mechanism 32 secure the lid 222 and the body 220 in asimilar manner as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8. In someembodiments, the larger deposit box 220 may be sized 18″×24.″ Otherembodiments may use different sizes. The large deposit box 220 may beattached directly to a user's home, the ground, or other building.

FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate additional embodiments that may be used fordelivering items larger than the deposit box 22 or 220. In theembodiment illustrated in FIGS. 10A and 10B, the deposit box 22 or 220may include a flexible deposit bag 224. The deposit bag 224 may assistin keeping a delivery protected from weather (particularly, but notlimited to, precipitation, and ground moisture) as well as keeping theitem secure. The deposit boxes 22, 220 may also be configured to protectdelivery items from weather as well as keeping the item secure.

The flexible deposit bag 224 may be kept in the deposit box 22, 220 whennot in use. There may be a slot or other structure in the deposit box22, 220 or storing the deposit bag 224. The flexible deposit bag 224 maybe made of a waterproof or water-resistant nylon, plastic, canvas, orother suitable material. The bag 224 may be equipped with straps 226which may fit through passageways 230 into the interior enclosed space28 to fit on securing hooks (as shown in FIG. 10A) or other securingstructure 228. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10B, the bag is cinchedclosed with the securing straps 226 and the securing straps 226 haveholes 231 which may fit over a post 229 which may be part of thesecuring structure 228. By using either of these ways, or any in othersuitable manner, the bag 224 can be secured within the deposit box 22,220. When the door 26, 222 of the deposit box 22 is opened, the straps226 may be accessed to be removed from the securing structure 228 toprovide access inside the bag 224. The item may be deposited in the bag224 and the bag 224 cinched closed or otherwise closed. Then thesecuring straps 226 may be threaded through the passageways 230 andsecured to the securing structure 228. The door 26, 222 may then beclosed and the deposit box 22, 220 may be locked thereby securing, thebag 224 to the deposit box 22, 220.

It should be understood that the type of securing structure 228 shown inFIG. 10A may also be used with the deposit box 220 of FIGS. 9 and 10B.Furthermore, the securing structure 228 of FIG. 10B may also be usedwith the smaller deposit box 22. The illustrated embodiments areexemplary and are not limiting. Various aspects of various embodimentsmay be mixed and matched among various embodiments.

In some embodiments, the bag 224 may be designed so it is difficult toopen without removing the securing straps 226 from the securingstructure 228. In other embodiments, a separate locking mechanism 231may be attached to the deposit bag 224 to keep the bag 224 closed. Wherea separate locking mechanism 231 is used, a proximity sensor (similar tothe proximity sensors described above) may also be operatively connectedto the locking mechanism 231 to provide selective access to the bag 224,so that the locking mechanism 231 may be accessed by a delivery personor user in a similar manner to the locking and unlocking of the depositbox 22, 220 that is described elsewhere herein.

It will be understood that deposit boxes 22, 220 in accordance with thepresent disclosure may be originally configured to have any or all thefeatures of: the box proximity sensor 30, the locking mechanism 32, thebag 224, and passageways 230 or may be modified to have any or all thesefeatures. In some embodiments, kits may be provided to modify a standardmailbox or other structured to become a deposit box 22, 220 inaccordance with present disclosure. Such a kit may include any or all ofthe following: the box proximity sensor 30, the locking mechanism 32,and the bag 224, fasteners 210 and/or an adhesive.

FIGS. 11 through 13 are flowcharts that illustrate various aspects andsteps of methods in accordance with the present disclosure. It should beunderstood that the order of the steps shown in the figures and describeherein and in the claims is not mandatory (unless specifically statedotherwise) but cited as examples. The order of the steps may berearranged in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is aflowchart which describes a method 232 of activating universal proximitysensors 42 (also referred to as delivery proximity sensors 42). The termuniversal proximity sensor 42 is also used because the universal ordelivery proximity sensors 42 may be configured to open all depositboxes 22, 220 or all deposit boxes 22, 220 located within a defined area(hence it being a “universal” proximity sensor) as opposed to a user'sproximity sensor 40 which generally is associated with a single deliverybox 22, 220. However, in some embodiments, the user's proximity sensor40 may also be associated with multiple delivery boxes 22, 220associated with a user (especially when the user is an entity ratherthan a real person).

As shown in step S10, a delivery service (which may include a governmententity such as the U.S. Postal Service or any other delivery servicewhether public or private) receives universal proximity sensors 42 (asshown in FIG. 1). In step S20, the delivery service may use barcodes onthe proximity sensors 42 to swipe and download information and uniquelyassigned each proximity sensor a particular delivery point orgeographical zones such as, a zip code with the server or database 56.In step S30 the universal proximity sensor 42 may be registered via acomputer 58 wireless device 104 as shown in FIG. 1 or any other suitabledevice. In step S32 the universal proximity sensors 42 may bedistributed and associated with the piece of equipment 44 and orspecific delivery personnel. For example a universal proximity sensor 42may be associated with a specific delivery person or a vehicle 44 or bag44 as shown in FIG. 1 or 3. Information regarding the proximity sensors42 in steps S20-S32 can be entered into a computer 58 or other wirelessdevice 104 using an application or computer program which allows theinformation to be stored on a database or server 56. Once the universalproximity sensor 42 has been registered it may be activated (authorized)and able to communicate with the box proximity sensors 30 within itsdelivery route, specific delivery point, geographical zone, or ZIP Code.The delivery service can perform the operation of activating ordeactivating each delivery proximity sensor 42 as needed.

FIG. 12 illustrates a method 234 in accordance with present disclosurefor activating a specific delivery box 22 or box proximity sensor 30associated with a specific delivery box 22. As shown in step S34, a userobtains a box security system which may include a deposit box 22 alreadyconfigured to be in accordance with the system 20 or a kit which (asdiscussed above) may allow a retrofit of the existing mailbox or otherdeposit box to be upgraded to contain features associated with thepresent system 20. As shown in step S36 user may download (or access)from a database 56 or server 56 an application or computer program ontoa user's device 104 or computer 58. In step S38 the user may then usethe application or program to register the box proximity sensor 30. Theregistration may include entering a user's information such as name,address, serial number of the deposit box and/or box sensor 30, user'sproximity sensor 30 serial number, location of the deposit box 22 andthe like. In step S40, the user may then fit the retro kit to anexisting deposit box 22 or install a deposit box 22 in accordance withpresent disclosure. The user, delivery service, and a system 20 operatormay activate and deactivate proximity sensors 30, 40, 42, 50A and 50B asneeded.

FIG. 13 illustrates a method 236 of delivering an item in a securemanner in accordance with the present disclosure. The followingdiscussion is made with reference to both the flowchart of FIG. 13 andthe system shown in FIG. 1. At step S42, a universal proximity sensor 42exits a checkpoint as detected by the location proximity sensors 50Aand/or 50B. As shown in step S44, information that the deliveryequipment 44 has passed one of the exit proximity sensors 50A or 50B issent to the database or server 56. Optionally, as shown in step S46, anotice can be sent to a user's computer 58 or device 104 regarding thepassage of the delivery equipment 44. As shown in step S48, when theuniversal proximity sensor 42 is brought near the box proximity sensor30 the locking mechanism 32 will unlock the deposit box 22.

When the universal or delivery proximity sensor 42 is moved away fromthe box proximity sensor 30, the locking mechanism 32 will revert to thelock position as indicated in step S50. As set forth in step S52,information may be sent to the server or database 56 regardingcommunication between the universal proximity sensor 42 and the boxproximity sensor 30. This information can indicate when the deposit box22 was unlocked, (indicative that a delivery was made or that items wereremoved from the deposit box 22), whether the deposit box 22 iscurrently locked, or any other desired information. In step S54,information may be sent to a user's computer 58 or device 104 or merelystored on the server or database 56 to be accessed by user via thedevice 104 or computer 58.

At step S56 the delivery service equipment 44 may pass a checkpointcontaining the location proximity sensors 50A or 50B after returningfrom making deliveries. Once the building or property line proximitysensors 50A or 50B detect the return of the delivery equipment 44 bydetecting the delivery proximity sensor 42, information regarding thereturn of the delivery equipment 44 may be sent to the database orserver 56 at step S58. At step S60 notice regarding the return of theequipment 44 may be sent to a user. It may be understood that the methoddoes not require that notices be sent to a user, as such steps areoptional. In some embodiments, information is stored on the database orserver 56 for later access by the user and may or may not be sent to auser.

In some embodiments, the delivery proximity sensor 42 may also contain aGPS transceiver which can transmit wirelessly information to thedatabase or server 56 as to the location of the equipment 44. In someembodiments, one or more of the other proximity sensors 30, 40, 50A, and50B may also contain or be operatively connected to a transceiver whichcan transmit wirelessly information to the database or server 56.

While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary aspects,those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can bepracticed with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appendedclaims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are notmeant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, aspects,applications or modifications of the disclosure.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from thedetailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claimsto cover all such features and advantages of the invention which fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention. Further, sincenumerous modifications and variations will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to theexact construction and operation illustrated and described, andaccordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resortedto, falling within the scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An integrated package and mail delivery securitysystem, the integrated package and mail delivery security system beingconfigured to limit access to a delivery box, the integrated package andmail delivery security system comprising: a lock mechanism, the lockmechanism configured to attach to or be integrated within the deliverybox to selectively prevent a door of the delivery box from opening; thelock mechanism configured to have a locked configuration that preventsthe door of the delivery box from opening; the lock mechanism furtherconfigured to have an unlocked configuration that allows the door of thedelivery box to open; the lock mechanism further including a lock body;the lock body comprising a movable bolt that retracts into the lock bodyand extends from the lock body to implement the locked configurationthat prevents the door of the delivery box from opening and the unlockedconfiguration that allows the door of the delivery box to open; aproximity sensor operatively connected to the lock mechanism, theproximity sensor configured to be responsive to an element associatedwith authorized delivery personnel and send a signal to the lockmechanism; the proximity sensor further configured to send the signal tooperate the lock mechanism to move the movable bolt to place the lockmechanism in the unlocked configuration that allows the door of thedelivery box to open during a delivery of a package and/or mail to thedelivery box by the authorized delivery personnel; a transceiveroperatively connected to the lock mechanism and the transceiverconfigured to transmit information over a wireless network to a systemindicating that the lock mechanism was unlocked; a power sourceconfigured to provide electrical or battery power to at least theproximity sensor and the transceiver; the system configured to receivethe information indicating that the lock mechanism was unlocked from thetransceiver over the wireless network; and the system is furtherconfigured to register the lock mechanism by receiving registrationinformation from a user device of a user of the lock mechanism, whereinthe system comprises at least one server and at least one database. 2.The integrated package and mail delivery security system of claim 1wherein: the system being further configured to transmit a message to auser device regarding operation of the lock mechanism; the user devicecomprises at least one of the following: a computer and a wirelessdevice; and the message comprises an indication of the lock mechanismbeing unlocked.
 3. The integrated package and mail delivery securitysystem of claim 2 wherein the message further comprises an indicationthat the lock mechanism is currently locked.
 4. The integrated packageand mail delivery security system of claim 3 wherein the system isfurther configured to track a delivery of the package and/or mail. 5.The integrated package and mail delivery security system of claim 1wherein the registration information comprises at least one of thefollowing: a user name, a user address, a serial number of the lockmechanism, and a location of the delivery box.
 6. The integrated packageand mail delivery security system of claim 1 further comprising thedelivery box; the delivery box comprising an enclosed space to receivedelivery of the package and/or mail; the delivery box comprising thedoor that is configured to selectively provide access to the enclosedspace and the door further configured to selectively prevent access tothe enclosed space; and a lock receiver configured to be attached to thedoor of the delivery box, the lock receiver configured to receive themovable bolt.
 7. The integrated package and mail delivery securitysystem of claim 6 wherein the lock receiver is configured to be attachedto the door of the delivery box with mechanical fasteners.
 8. Theintegrated package and mail delivery security system of claim 1 whereinthe proximity sensor is further configured to operate the lock mechanismto move the movable bolt to place the lock mechanism in the unlockedconfiguration that allows the door of the delivery box to open during adelivery of the package and/or mail by the authorized delivery personnelby detecting a proximity device.
 9. The integrated package and maildelivery security system of claim 8 wherein the proximity devicecomprises at least one barcode.
 10. The integrated package and maildelivery security system of claim 9 wherein the at least one barcodecomprises information that relates to a particular delivery point. 11.The integrated package and mail delivery security system of claim 1wherein the locking mechanism further includes a light configured tooperate when the locking mechanism is in the locked configuration. 12.The integrated package and mail delivery security system of claim 1wherein the lock mechanism is configured to be arranged external to thedelivery box.
 13. An integrated package and mail delivery securitysystem, the integrated package and mail delivery security system beingconfigured to limit access to a delivery box, the integrated package andmail delivery security system comprising: a lock mechanism, the lockmechanism configured to attach to the delivery box to selectivelyprevent a door of the delivery box from opening; the lock mechanismconfigured to have a locked configuration that prevents the door of thedelivery box from opening; the lock mechanism further configured to havean unlocked configuration that allows the door of the delivery box toopen; the lock mechanism further including a lock body; the lock bodycomprising a movable bolt that retracts into the lock body and extendsfrom the lock body to implement the locked configuration that preventsthe door of the delivery box from opening and the unlocked configurationthat allows the door of the delivery box to open; a proximity sensoroperatively connected to the lock mechanism, the proximity sensorconfigured to be responsive to an authorized user and send a signal tothe lock mechanism; the proximity sensor further configured to send thesignal to operate the lock mechanism to move the movable bolt to placethe lock mechanism in the unlocked configuration that allows the door ofthe delivery box to open during a retrieval of a package and/or mail tothe delivery box by the authorized user; a power source configured toprovide electrical or battery power to at least the proximity sensor; atransceiver operatively connected to the lock mechanism and thetransceiver configured to transmit information over a wireless networkto a system indicating that the lock mechanism was unlocked; the systemis further configured to track a retrieval of the package and/or mail;and the system configured to receive the information indicating that thelock mechanism was unlocked from the transceiver over the wirelessnetwork, wherein the system comprises at least one server and at leastone database.
 14. The integrated package and mail delivery securitysystem of claim 13 wherein: the system being further configured totransmit a message to a user device regarding operation of the lockmechanism; the user device comprises at least one of the following: acomputer and a wireless device; and the message comprises an indicationof the lock mechanism being unlocked.
 15. The integrated package andmail delivery security system of claim 13 wherein the system is furtherconfigured to register the lock mechanism by receiving registrationinformation from a user device of a user of the lock mechanism.
 16. Theintegrated package and mail delivery security system of claim 13 furthercomprising the delivery box; the delivery box comprising an enclosedspace to receive delivery of, or retrieve the package and/or mail; thedelivery box comprising the door that is configured to selectivelyprovide access to the enclosed space and the door further configured toselectively prevent access to the enclosed space; and a lock receiverconfigured to be attached to the door of the delivery box, the lockreceiver configured to receive the movable bolt.
 17. The integratedpackage and mail delivery security system of claim 16 wherein the lockreceiver is configured to be attached to the door of the delivery boxwith mechanical fasteners.
 18. The integrated package and mail deliverysecurity system of claim 13 wherein: the proximity sensor is furtherconfigured to operate the lock mechanism to move the movable bolt toplace the lock mechanism in the unlocked configuration that allows thedoor of the delivery box to open during a retrieval of the packageand/or mail by the authorized user by detecting a proximity device;wherein the proximity device comprising at least one barcode; andwherein the at least one barcode comprises information that relates to aparticular delivery point.
 19. The integrated package and mail deliverysecurity system of claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism furtherincludes a light configured to operate when the locking mechanism is inthe locked configuration.
 20. The integrated package and mail deliverysecurity system of claim 16 wherein the lock mechanism is configured tobe arranged external to the delivery box.